The Makalanga undoubtedly possess a keener appreciation of music and singing than many of the other native races in this part of the continent. When at work, digging, hoeing, or threshing, they sing continually, and in one morning they will spontaneously render fully a dozen different songs and a large number of extempore recitatives and choruses interspersed, also a few part-songs and catches. They sing going to and returning from labour, and always sing at their work, and when they cease singing one may be certain they are idling. There is far greater harmony and variety of music produced from their pianos, and their songs are brighter and more spirited, than any music or song a Matabele can evolve, and the dreary monotonous chant of the latter is almost entirely absent. The subjects of their songs are numerous, and comprise many items which only a people who live face to face with Nature could sing without offending the decencies as regarded by civilised people, and in these songs the smallest child most lustily joins. They will sing impromptu songs having reference to the tools they happen to be using, or to anything they may chance to see. The Native Commissioner is a great subject of their songs. They have war-songs, lullabies, songs to the bride, to the child just able to walk, to the new moon, to the butter they are making, besides a number of children’s songs. They also have a large number of proverbs which somewhat resemble those employed at Home, thus:— _Translation._ _English Equivalent._ “The grass which is in the belly “A bird in the hand is worth of the wild ox is his own; that two in the bush.” which is in his mouth he might die with.” “Difficulty makes a plan.” “Necessity is the mother of invention.” “Water spilt cannot be gathered “No use crying over spilt milk.” again.” “He is strong at the dish”; “He is a good trencherman.” said of one who does not work, but knows well how to eat. “Comes out with holes in his “Escaped by the skin of his skins (garments).” teeth.” “A tame dog is the one that “Do not trust one who looks eats at the skins.” very innocent.” “Who has thrown out my basket “Who has meddled with my of seed?” affairs?” “The short hare cannot eat the “Don’t attempt things too high tall grass.” for you.”